Instructor

PhD, Philosopher, Founder of the Critical Thinker Academy

A philosopher of science by trainning.
Taught philosophy and critical thinking at the university level for 20 years.
(2009-2013) Chair of the Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies at Lowa State
University.
2015: Online educator, produce video tutorial courses on topics in science, philosophy,
critical thinking and communication skills.
Run a membership community "Argument Ninja" skills.
Take away
Understand what cognitive biases are and why they're so important for critical thinking.
Understand the concept of "mindware" as a component of improving critical thinking and
reasoning.
Understand how ignoring cognitive biases can open the door to disastrous decisions,
reduced performance and social injustice.
Understand why many businesses and industries are offering cognitive bias training to their
managers and employees.
Be able to describe several important cognitive biases -- such as confirmation bias, pattern-
seeking, anchoring, and hindsight bias -- and give examples that illustrate how they operate.
Understand what "debiasing" is, and be able to describe several effective strategies for
reducing the harmful effects of cognitive biases.
Explain why many businesses and organizations resist implementing debiasing strategies.
Syllabus: (2.5 hours)
Section 1: Getting Started
Section 2: What is Cognitive Bias?
2.1: What is a Cognitive Bias?
Features of ordinary human psychology
That make us prone to errors in how we form beliefs and make decisions
As judged by some accepted standard of "good reason".
A gap between "How we ought to reason" and "How we actually reason"
2.2: "Biased" does not mean "Prejudiced" or "Bigoted"?
The gap is the source of the term bias.
Using it, we make a judgment.
2.3: An Example: The Gambler's Fallacy

2.4: The most important discovery of modern Psychology

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Section 3: Cognitive Biases and their Importance for Critical Thinking
3.1: A central aim of critical thinking
To improve the quality of our beliefs, judgments and decision.
Lower the quality of our beliefs, judgments and decisions.
3.2: "Mindware": Tool for smart thinking
Mindware=software of the brain/body
Section 4: Why are so many Industries offering Cognitive Bias Training to their
employees?
Section 5: A gentle introduction to cognitive bias
Section 6: Confirmation Bias
Section 7: Pattern Seeking
Section 8: The anchoring effect
Section 9: Hindsight bias
Section 10: Introduction to debiasing strategies
Section 11: Why Businesses often resist debiasing
Section 12: Debiasing strategies that work
Section 13: Wrapping up